Workshop 2 – Case studies in antibiotic prescribing: challenges facing hospital pharmacists

Abstract:

Antimicrobial resistance and the threat this brings with it have long been recognized. Inherent antimicrobial resistance existed even before antimicrobials were introduced into medicine. Reports indicate that more than 25% of Staph aureus infections in Europe are caused by MRSA, with most of these isolates being multi-drug resistant. The European Union has voiced its concern about this alarming increase in antibiotic resistance and has launched a surveillance programme, the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (EARSS). A recent report summarizing trends has indicated that there continues to be a loss of antimicrobial effectiveness which does not seem to have slowed down, with resistance and a reduction in antimicrobial effectiveness reported both in community and in hospital-based care.

Optimal use of antimicrobials is one of the essential elements of antimicrobial stewardship to ensure that the activity of newer antimicrobials, such as daptomycin and tigecycline are preserved. The hospital pharmacist is more likely to encounter multi-drug resistant organisms and should therefore be familiar with indications and spectrum of activity of antimicrobials, including newer ones.

Teaching goals:

This interactive workshop run by a multi-disciplinary team will aim to:

• Provide case studies describing potentially challenging case scenarios that a hospital pharmacist may encounter
• Encourage discussion among workshop participants on choosing appropriate antibiotics
• Help participants put into practice and apply background knowledge relating to antibiotics. This will include use of newer antibiotics (eg daptomycin and tigecycline) and renewed interest in older antibiotics (eg colomycin and temocillin)

Learning objectives:

Participants will:

• Gain different perspectives on managing challenging cases that they may encounter in practice
• Have a greater understanding and awareness of potential uses of antibiotics and different options for managing challenging cases
• Recognise uncertainties in empirical antibiotic prescribing